Sangay Ngedup
Encyclopedia
Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup was Prime Minister of Bhutan
from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2006.
In Dzongkha, the title Lyonpo means "Minister".
Sangay Ngedup was born in Nobgang village in Punakha
. He is the second eldest son in a family of two brothers and five sisters. Four of his sisters are the Queens of Bhutan. He graduated from Dr Graham's Homes in Kalimpong, India
, and completed his tertiary education at the St Stephen’s College in New Delhi
, India
. In 1976 he joined the Bhutanese foreign service, and attended diplomatic courses in Australia and New Delhi.
In 1977, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup served at the permanent mission of Bhutan
to the United Nations
in New York
and later as second (and later first) secretary in the Royal Bhutan Embassy in New Delhi
. In 1989, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup was appointed as Ambassador to Kuwait
.
He was transferred as the Director of Trade and Industry in 1989 and then as the joint secretary of the Planning Commission in April 1991. He became the Director General of Health in 1992. In 1998 he became Minister of Health and Education, and he served as Prime Minister from July 9, 1999 until July 20, 2000. He was Minister of Agriculture from 2003 to 2007, and on September 5, 2005 was appointed as Prime Minister again, serving until September 7, 2006. In July 2007 he resigned from the government, together with Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and five other ministers, to enter politics and prepare for the country's first ever democratic election
in 2008. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, whose demonstrated leadership style is democratic, was unanimously elected as president and leader of the newly constituted People's Democratic Party
.
In his presidential debate, the first ever held in February 2008, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup has promised that, if he wins the election, he would base his policies of governing on Gross National Happiness
(GNH), a philosophy (coined by the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck
) that states that happiness is more important than material growth for the people.
He led his party during the election, held on March 24, 2008, but lost in his own constituency; the People's Democratic Party took only two seats of a possible 47 in the National Assembly
.
Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup was awarded the Red Scarf
by His Majesty the King
on August 24, 1987, and the Orange Scarf
on January 1, 1998.
In 2002 he undertook with six other members the Move for Health Walk from Trashigang
to the capital city of Thimphu
covering on foot a distance of 560 km concluded successfully as scheduled. The Walk was conceived by Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup to promote the fund raising for the Bhutan Health Trust Fund, an important initiative to keep the primary health services of Bhutan
free of charge.
Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup is the Honorary President of the Bhutan Scouts Association.
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2006.
In Dzongkha, the title Lyonpo means "Minister".
Sangay Ngedup was born in Nobgang village in Punakha
Punakha
thumb|right|Punakha Dzong and the [[Mo Chhu]]Punakha is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it...
. He is the second eldest son in a family of two brothers and five sisters. Four of his sisters are the Queens of Bhutan. He graduated from Dr Graham's Homes in Kalimpong, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and completed his tertiary education at the St Stephen’s College in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In 1976 he joined the Bhutanese foreign service, and attended diplomatic courses in Australia and New Delhi.
In 1977, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup served at the permanent mission of Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and later as second (and later first) secretary in the Royal Bhutan Embassy in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. In 1989, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup was appointed as Ambassador to Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
.
He was transferred as the Director of Trade and Industry in 1989 and then as the joint secretary of the Planning Commission in April 1991. He became the Director General of Health in 1992. In 1998 he became Minister of Health and Education, and he served as Prime Minister from July 9, 1999 until July 20, 2000. He was Minister of Agriculture from 2003 to 2007, and on September 5, 2005 was appointed as Prime Minister again, serving until September 7, 2006. In July 2007 he resigned from the government, together with Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and five other ministers, to enter politics and prepare for the country's first ever democratic election
Bhutanese general election, 2008
Bhutan held its first general election on March 24, 2008 for the National Assembly. Two parties were registered by the Election Commission of Bhutan to contest the election: the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party , which was formed by the merger of the previously established Bhutan People's United...
in 2008. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, whose demonstrated leadership style is democratic, was unanimously elected as president and leader of the newly constituted People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Bhutan)
The People's Democratic Party is one of the major political parties in Bhutan, formed on March 24, 2007. The founder president of this party is Sangay Ngedup, the former prime minister and agriculture minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan...
.
In his presidential debate, the first ever held in February 2008, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup has promised that, if he wins the election, he would base his policies of governing on Gross National Happiness
Gross national happiness
The assessment of gross national happiness was designed in an attempt to define an indicator that measures quality of life or social progress in more holistic and psychological terms than only the economic indicator of gross domestic product .-Origins and meaning:The term...
(GNH), a philosophy (coined by the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006...
) that states that happiness is more important than material growth for the people.
He led his party during the election, held on March 24, 2008, but lost in his own constituency; the People's Democratic Party took only two seats of a possible 47 in the National Assembly
National Assembly of Bhutan
The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :...
.
Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup was awarded the Red Scarf
Kabney
A kabney is a silk scarf worn as a part of the gho, the traditional male costume in Bhutan. It is raw silk, normally 90 x 300 cm with fringes...
by His Majesty the King
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006...
on August 24, 1987, and the Orange Scarf
Kabney
A kabney is a silk scarf worn as a part of the gho, the traditional male costume in Bhutan. It is raw silk, normally 90 x 300 cm with fringes...
on January 1, 1998.
In 2002 he undertook with six other members the Move for Health Walk from Trashigang
Trashigang
Trashigang District is Bhutan's easternmost dzongkhag .-Culture:...
to the capital city of Thimphu
Thimphu
Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961...
covering on foot a distance of 560 km concluded successfully as scheduled. The Walk was conceived by Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup to promote the fund raising for the Bhutan Health Trust Fund, an important initiative to keep the primary health services of Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
free of charge.
Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup is the Honorary President of the Bhutan Scouts Association.